How to Connect to Wi-Fi Using a Specific MAC Address on Mac ?

Connecting to a Wi-Fi network using a specific MAC address (also known as the BSSID, or Basic Service Set Identifier) on a Mac can be useful when multiple access points share the same SSID (network name) but have different MAC addresses, such as in environments with Wi-Fi extenders or enterprise networks. However, macOS does not provide a built-in, user-friendly way to directly select a Wi-Fi access point by its MAC address through the standard interface. This article will guide you through the process, including how to identify the MAC address of access points, configure your Mac to connect to a specific one, and address potential challenges, all while maintaining privacy and security.

Why Connect to a Specific MAC Address?

When multiple access points use the same SSID, your Mac typically connects to the one with the strongest signal. However, this may not always be the best choice due to factors like network congestion, interference, or specific device requirements (e.g., a printer or IoT device tied to a particular access point). By targeting a specific MAC address, you can ensure a more stable or preferred connection.

Prerequisites

• A Mac running macOS (this guide applies to macOS Ventura, Sonoma, and earlier versions as of May 2025).
• The SSID and password of the Wi-Fi network.
• Administrator access to your Mac.
• Optional: Access to the router’s admin settings for advanced configurations.

---

Step-by-Step Guide to Connect to Wi-Fi Using a Specific MAC Address

1. Identify the MAC Address (BSSID) of the Wi-Fi Access Points

To connect to a specific access point, you first need to know its MAC address (BSSID). Here’s how to find it on a Mac:

• Use the Option Key with the Wi-Fi Menu:

1. Hold down the Option key on your keyboard.
2. Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar at the top of your screen.
3. You’ll see a list of nearby Wi-Fi networks. The network your Mac is currently connected to will show detailed information, including the BSSID (e.g., something like 80:7A:7B:7C:00:01).
4. To see BSSIDs of other networks with the same SSID, you may need to scan all available networks (see the next step).

• Use Wireless Diagnostics:

1. Hold the Option key and click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar, then select Open Wireless Diagnostics.
2. In the Wireless Diagnostics window, go to the menu bar and select Window > Scan (or press Command + 4).
3. Click Scan Now. This will list all nearby Wi-Fi networks, including their BSSIDs, SSIDs, channels, and signal strengths.
4. Note the BSSID of the access point you want to connect to.

• Use Terminal (Advanced):

1. Open Terminal (found in Applications > Utilities).
2. Run the following command to scan Wi-Fi networks:
   /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -s
3. This lists all nearby networks with their BSSIDs, SSIDs, and other details. Look for the BSSID of the access point you want to target.

2. Check for macOS Private Wi-Fi Address Settings

macOS uses a privacy feature called Private Wi-Fi Address, which assigns a randomized MAC address to your device for each network to prevent tracking. This can interfere with networks that use MAC address filtering or when trying to connect to a specific access point. You may need to disable this feature:

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older macOS versions).
2. Click Wi-Fi in the sidebar.
3. Click the Details button (or More Info button) next to the network you’re targeting.
4. Look for Private Wi-Fi Address. If using macOS Ventura or later:

• Select Off to use your device’s actual hardware MAC address.
• Alternatively, choose Fixed to use a consistent private address (not recommended for this use case).
• Avoid Rotating, as it changes the address periodically.

1. Click OK and reconnect to the network if prompted.

3. Connect to a Specific BSSID Using Terminal

macOS does not allow you to select a specific BSSID directly through the GUI, but you can use Terminal to force a connection. Here’s how:

1. Turn Off Wi-Fi:

• Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi Off.

1. Use the networksetup Command:

• Open Terminal.
• Run the following command to associate your Mac with the specific BSSID: sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -A SSID --bssid=BSSID --password=PASSWORD
  • Replace SSID with the network name (e.g., HomeWifi).
  • Replace BSSID with the MAC address of the access point (e.g., 80:7A:7B:7C:00:01).
  • Replace PASSWORD with the Wi-Fi password.
  • Example:
    sudo /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -A HomeWifi --bssid=80:7A:7B:7C:00:01 --password=MyPassword123
• Enter your admin password when prompted.

1. Turn Wi-Fi Back On:

• Click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select Turn Wi-Fi On. Your Mac should now connect to the specified access point.

1. Verify the Connection:

• Hold the Option key, click the Wi-Fi icon, and check the BSSID of the connected network to confirm it matches your target.

4. Alternative: Use Router Settings to Prioritize Access Points

If the above method doesn’t work or you want a more permanent solution, you can configure your router to prioritize connections:

• Separate SSIDs:

1. Access your router’s admin panel (usually via a browser at an address like 192.168.1.1—check your router’s manual).
2. If multiple access points (e.g., a router and repeaters) use the same SSID, assign unique SSIDs to each (e.g., HomeWifi_Router, HomeWifi_Repeater1).
3. Connect your Mac to the desired SSID.

• MAC Address Filtering:

1. In your router’s admin panel, enable MAC Address Filtering.
2. Add your Mac’s Wi-Fi MAC address (found in System Settings > Wi-Fi > Details > Hardware) to the allowed list for the desired access point.
3. Block your Mac’s MAC address on other access points with the same SSID.

5. Troubleshoot Common Issues

• Private Address Interference: If the network uses MAC address filtering, ensure the Private Wi-Fi Address is set to Off (as in Step 2).
• Weak Signal: If the target access point has a weaker signal, your Mac may attempt to roam to a stronger one. Physically move closer to the target access point or adjust the router’s transmit power settings.
• Command Not Working: The airport command may not work on all macOS versions (Apple has restricted access in recent updates). If it fails, consider using a third-party tool or the router method.
• Network Security: If the network uses enterprise security (e.g., WPA2 Enterprise), additional authentication may be required, and BSSID targeting may not work without IT admin support.

Privacy and Security Considerations

• Disable Private Wi-Fi Address with Caution: Turning off the Private Wi-Fi Address feature exposes your device’s hardware MAC address, which can be used to track your device across networks. Only disable it for trusted networks.
• Avoid Public Networks: Targeting a specific BSSID on public Wi-Fi can expose you to rogue access points. Always use a VPN for added security.
• Router Security: If configuring your router, ensure it uses strong encryption (WPA3 or WPA2) and a unique password to prevent unauthorized access.

Limitations

• macOS Restrictions: Apple prioritizes user privacy and seamless connectivity, so forcing a connection to a specific BSSID is not officially supported through the GUI. Terminal commands may be deprecated in future macOS updates.
• Third-Party Tools: Unlike Windows, where tools like NetSetMan or WifiInfoView can list and connect to specific BSSIDs, macOS lacks equivalent software. Tools like Wireshark can scan BSSIDs but don’t offer direct connection options.
• Roaming Behavior: Even after connecting to a specific BSSID, your Mac may switch to another access point with the same SSID if the signal drops, unless you use router-level restrictions.

---

For most users, the simplest approach is to configure your router to use unique SSIDs for each access point, allowing you to connect to the desired one without Terminal commands. If you must use a specific BSSID, the Terminal method is effective but requires technical comfort and may not persist across reboots or network changes. Always prioritize privacy by re-enabling the Private Wi-Fi Address feature after completing your task, especially on public or untrusted networks.